Follow Us‘The future of ODI cricket’ has now become a day-to-day topic of discussion, especially with the World Cup going on in India.
With the growing popularity of franchise-based leagues and T20Is, many people have even started questioning the future of these 50-over ICC events, but Cricket Australia Chair Nick Hockley believes that the ODI World Cup isn’t going anywhere.
The 2023 World Cup will conclude on November 19. The 50-over format will then take a back seat, with a T20 World Cup to be played next year. However, there will be a Champions Trophy in 2025 in Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Hockley said: “I think we need to keep working on making sure that the events are structured, that the qualification pathways are all optimized.
“I think the main thing that we have to make sure is that there's a real clear role for every format and that we're giving real context to our world events. And that's making sure that there are really great qualification routes.
“I think that the 50-over World Cups got a proud history. I think it's here to stay.”
Hockley also believes that the ODI cricket is the pinnacle of the white-ball cricket. “Cricket is unique that it's got the three formats and I think they've each got a role to play.
“You know, we saw the West Indies missed out on qualification. They're a very proud cricketing nation, but the Netherlands have come through and have won two games.
“So, T20 is the means by which all the countries can play and get involved. 50-over cricket is the pinnacle of the white ball format.”
Last month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also confirmed that cricket will feature in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Despite having one of the biggest viewerships for any sport in the World, cricket failed to expand its global footprint due to the lack of administrative initiatives to expand the game.
But in 2021, right around the Tokyo Olympics, the ICC announced officially that it was going all guns blazing to have the sport at LA28.
It formed a working group including the then ECB chair Ian Watmore, ICC’s Independent director (and a US-based business tycoon) Indra Nooyi, and Chair of USA cricket, Parag Marathe, amongst others.
A $3 million budget was allocated to prepare for the bidding process, which included a widespread public relations campaign. Finally, at the IOC meeting in Mumbai, Cricket’s bid was approved, confirming its presence at the LA Olympics.
"Cricket is looking forward to having that global platform. And I think similarly, the Olympics to appeal to that big population based on the subcontinent. So, I think a huge foresight by the LA 2028 organising committee to see the opportunity it provides to bring people together,” concluded Hockley.